Wizards 2026 – Washington’s No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa earns an A+ as the Wizards build around a “win-now” core while also using the draft to add frontcourt depth and developmental upside.
The Wizards’ 2026 draft night felt like a fork in the road—then, with one pick, they made their choice. Washington selected BYU wing AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, pairing a clear long-term plan with a team already reshaped by big-name moves over the last year.
Dybantsa didn’t just arrive with hype. He comes in after leading the nation with 25.5 points per game and breaking Danny Ainge’s 48-year-old BYU freshman scoring record with a 43-point outing. At 6-foot-9. the wing is widely viewed as one of the most polished offensive prospects to enter the league in recent years. and Washington is expected to get major impact right away.
That prospect lands in a franchise that already added two major stars last year. The Wizards’ young core includes Alex Sarr. Bilal Coulibaly. Kyshawn George. Tre Johnson and Will Riley—players who. on this trajectory. are expected to genuinely emerge as contenders in the next few seasons. In Dybantsa, Washington is getting a center piece for the coming years, and the draft grades reflect it.
AJ Dybantsa (Round 1, Pick 1) — Draft Grade: A+
Felix Okpara (Round 2, Pick 46) — Draft Grade: B
Washington didn’t stop at adding a star-ready scorer. The Wizards also stayed aggressive in the back half of the draft. trading up with Orlando to draft Tennessee center Felix Okpara at No. 46. At 6-foot-11. Okpara is described as a direct answer to an organizational need. bringing rim protection and interior presence on both ends.
The expectation around Okpara is simple: defensive skill that can translate quickly, even if the offensive side may take work before he becomes a consistent contributor. Still, the move reads like a team preparing its roster to win games next season, not just build for later.
Izaiyah Nelson (Round 2, Pick 51) — Draft Grade: B-
Next came Izaiyah Nelson, taken after an outstanding collegiate run at South Florida. Nelson earned both American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Washington sees him as a versatile forward who can play center and guard multiple positions.
This grade reflects the role you can reasonably expect from him in year one: more development than immediate impact, but with upside that could pay off as he grows.
Malique Lewis (Round 2, Pick 60) — Draft Grade: C
Washington closed the draft by selecting Australian guard Malique Lewis with the final pick before moving his rights to the Milwaukee Bucks. Lewis is only 21, but he arrives with professional experience across Australia, Spain and Mexico.
It’s an intriguing swing with a built-in safety valve. The Wizards don’t project for Lewis to play in Washington, and the trade of his rights sets up the pick as a low-risk move for Milwaukee while Washington continues shaping the rest of its roster.
Overall Draft Grade: A
From Dybantsa’s No. 1 selection to the Wizards’ decisions in the second round—trading up for Felix Okpara, adding Izaiyah Nelson at 51, and finishing with Malique Lewis before sending his rights to the Bucks—Washington’s 2026 draft class is ultimately graded as an A.
The through line is obvious: Washington is still serious about “win-now” mode, especially after recent moves for Anthony Davis and Trae Young, but the draft choices show they’re also tying that ambition to a future face of the franchise.
Washington Wizards 2026 NBA Draft AJ Dybantsa Felix Okpara Izaiyah Nelson Malique Lewis Anthony Davis Trae Young Alex Sarr Bilal Coulibaly Kyshawn George Tre Johnson Will Riley draft grades
A+?? Bro I don’t even trust draft grades anymore. Let’s see him miss a couple layups first.
So they got ANOTHER scorer and still haven’t fixed defense? “Rim protection” sounds good but it always looks different in the NBA. Also who is Felix Okpara again?
Wait you said he broke the BYU freshman record with 43 points… wasn’t that Danny Ainge? Like I’m confused if Danny Ainge has a BYU scoring record?? Either way 6-9 wing doesn’t mean anything, KD was 6-10 and still had to learn.
I feel like Washington always talks “win-now” then ends up making TikTok highlight guys instead of actually winning. But if they paired him with Sarr and Coulibaly or whatever and “contenders in a few seasons” then ok I guess. Draft night was a fork in the road… meanwhile I’m just hoping they stop trading away everyone’s minutes.